Chapter 143
Caroline smiled slightly. "Since they think we're abusing volunteers, why don't we show them exactly how we're 'abusing' them?"
Arthur furrowed his brow, not understanding.
The assistant looked equally confused.
---
Half an hour later, at the Windsor Group's press conference hall.
The moment Caroline appeared, reporters swarmed around her.
"Dr. Q, someone has reported that you're abusing volunteers at the research facility. As a cancer patient yourself, what's your response to these allegations?"
"Dr. Q, there are claims you've stolen the cancer treatment formula to cure only yourself, planning to take it abroad. Is there any truth to this?"
"Dr. Q, why aren't you answering our questions? Are you too guilty to face your crimes?"
The microphones were practically shoved into Caroline's face.
Yet she remained composed, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'm here today specifically to address your questions. But before that, I have a surprise for everyone."
She clapped her hands, and Sophia appeared with a volunteer.
"I imagine you're all curious about the effectiveness of our cancer treatment. Today, I'll demonstrate it for you."
She hadn't just brought the volunteer—Sophia had brought all the necessary laboratory equipment as well.
Since so many people accused her of torturing volunteers for research, she would let everyone witness her methods firsthand.
Caroline displayed comprehensive CT scans for the audience.
"This is a breast cancer patient's chest CT. As you can clearly see, she's in the late stages, with cancer cells continuing to spread. I'll now demonstrate our treatment effect—I promise you won't be disappointed."
With that, Caroline took out her silver needles, methodically placing them at critical acupuncture points on the volunteer's body.
The volunteer, having worked with Caroline many times at the research facility, cooperated perfectly.
When the volunteer's breathing became shallow, appearing near death, reporters in the audience began frantically taking photos, not wanting to miss a single moment.
Caroline remained calm as she and Sophia administered the medication while closely monitoring the patient's condition.
In a corner of the hall, a familiar junior researcher looked anxious and frustrated. She reluctantly made a phone call.
"Dr. Cox, Dr. Q won't let me near the medication or equipment. I have no opportunity to interfere."
The researcher, Lily, had been instructed by Connor to sabotage the treatment—to turn the volunteer's near-death state into actual death, completely destroying Caroline's reputation.
But she couldn't even get close. How could she complete her mission?
Connor's voice on the phone was dangerously dark.
"Isn't this better? If something goes wrong now, no one will suspect you."
"Lab accidents happen all the time—water, electricity, fire. Just one problem is enough to make the experiment fail. Lily, don't limit your thinking."
Lily paused. "Yes, I'll complete the mission."
Hanging up, she cast one last glance at the stage before heading toward the main electrical control room on the first floor.
There were still ten minutes before the drug's effect would wear off.
During these ten minutes, if anyone disturbed the silver needles on the volunteer, they would die instantly.
This was why Caroline always supervised the treatment personally—to prevent accidents with the needles.
All the equipment in the hall required electricity. If the power went out, chaos would ensue.
Having made her decision, Lily distracted the security guard by claiming she needed to check the facility's power supply, then deliberately shut off the main circuit breaker.
Instantly, the hall plunged into darkness, and the previously quiet crowd grew restless.
"What happened? Did we lose power?"
"This is a live broadcast at the Windsor Group headquarters! If there's a power failure causing an accident, the company will face serious trouble!"
Discussions erupted throughout the hall.
Outside, Windsor Group employees urgently activated emergency protocols, many falling into panic.
Equally panicked was Heidi, watching from Riverside Loft.
"What are you doing?" she demanded of Connor. "Weren't you supposed to ruin that bitch's reputation? You're destroying the entire Windsor Group's reputation instead! What's your real agenda?"
Connor's eyes darkened as he grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
"What are you worried about?" He tilted Heidi's chin up, his voice playful but menacing.
"Didn't you say you had no feelings for Arthur—that you only wanted the position of Mrs. Windsor to control the Windsor Group?"
"Or have you actually developed feelings for him? Don't forget why Arthur remains so devoted to you! Do you think if he discovered you've been deceiving him all along, he'd still be so devoted?"
Heidi clenched her fists, her gaze both resentful and angry.
This bastard! How dare he threaten her?
But Connor did hold leverage over her—which was why she'd been forced to play along with him all this time, unable to make a move against him.
Now wasn't the time to openly confront him.
She smiled coquettishly. "How could I possibly have feelings for Arthur? I'm just worried that if the Windsor Group falls into chaos, our plan to take the formula might be compromised."
Connor smiled mysteriously.
"Don't worry. Even if the Windsor Group completely collapses, I can still secure the formula. Your future wealth and status are guaranteed."
Heidi maintained her smile, but her hatred grew stronger by the second.
---
Back at the conference hall, chaos had reached its peak.
Suddenly, someone shouted:
"The volunteer is dead!"
Hearing this, reporters surged toward the stage, all desperate to be the first to break the sensational news.
In the darkness, an ice-cold voice cut through the commotion.
"Anyone who approaches the stage will be held responsible if the experiment fails."
The reporters immediately halted, stepping back. They wanted the scoop, but not at the cost of being held liable.
When the lights finally came back on, everyone anxiously looked at the scene on stage.
A masked young woman was kneeling at the front, while Caroline still stood calmly beside the volunteer.
Noticing everyone's gaze, the young woman cried out desperately.
"Help! Dr. Q has killed the volunteer! Someone help!"
This woman was Lily.
With these words, everyone's attention returned to Caroline and the deathly pale volunteer behind her.
Caroline's lips curled into a slight smile. "It seems you really don't want your legs anymore. Perhaps you don't need your arms either."
As she spoke, two more silver needles appeared in Lily's arms.
Lily's triumphant expression froze as she realized she could no longer feel her hands, just as she had lost sensation in her feet.
It was as if she had been born without limbs.